A video has been shared on social media that shows members of Lancashire Police officers in a line spraying fans at Deepdale on Saturday.
The match saw two local rivals, Stoke City and Preston North End, go up against each other in the Championship to play out a hard-fought 2-2 draw on the pitch.
However in the stands Stoke fans were being sprayed by pepper spray to stop them from 'forcibly exiting' the stadium according to a statement from the police force involved.
"Officers deployed were faced with many aggressive fans and used proportionate force to protect themselves and ensure the disorderly fans did not spill out into the surrounding area" the statement read.
"As a result of this action, the situation was quickly brought under control and all fans returned to the stadium, where they watched the match without further disruption."
Despite justification of the action, an investigation will be launched after fans claimed that it was an inappropriately strong use of force which allegedly saw children affected by the incapacitating spray.
August 18, 2018